EMT Program at Shenendehowa preparing students for workforce

Six students at Shenendehowa High School completed a first-of-its-kind EMT Career Pathway Pilot program this summer, making them one step closer to becoming Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs).

In collaboration with the Town of Clifton Park, Clifton Park-Halfmoon EMS, Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC), and Career Jam; the pilot program launched in May of this year for Shenendehowa students. The program allows students who are 17 and older to get hands-on experience in the medical field. Students were also able to shadow real EMT’s this summer and were on scene helping real patients.

When the New York State School Boards Association (NYSSBA) heard about this groundbreaking program, they felt it worthy of recognition. The Champions of Change Award was presented to the Shenendehowa Central School District, celebrating a program that optimizes existing resources to address issues of equity, demonstrating strong student academic performance while introducing unique learning environments that are cutting-edge and future-oriented. 

“As a school system, it is our responsibility to provide students with options and opportunities that go beyond the walls of Shenendehowa” Dr. L. Oliver Robinson, Superintendent of Schools stated. “Creating this career pathway allows our young people to serve their community and meet the growing workforce demands in frontline emergency response.”

“This program was born from the fact that we need more people in our first responder community, specifically with our EMT’s,” Clifton Park Town Supervisor Phil Barrett said. “The last thing we ever want to get to is a point where you call 911 and there is a delayed response because there is not enough personnel on staff.”

Three of the six students who participated in the program, Shen High School Principal Ron Agostinoni, Board of Education President Naomi Hoffman and Superintendent Dr. Robinson accepted the Champion of Change banner from NYSSBA Area 7 Director Cathy Lewis.

The program was so successful for students the first time around that they have decided to expand it to offer it throughout Saratoga County next year.

More information on this groundbreaking pilot program can be found here.